Gear powered toy horse



April 21, 1959 c, MORGAN 2,883,203

GEAR POWERED TOY HORSE v Filed March 26, 1957 hub Mary an ATTCI RN EYB f INVENTOR.

GEAR POWERED TOY HORSE Chub Morgan, Berkeley, Calif.

Application March 26, 1957, Serial No. 648,650

2 Claims. (Cl. 2801.195)

This invention relates to a velocipede, and more particularly to a toy horse.

The object of the invention is to provide a velocipede which includes a novel mechanism for causing a body member or horse to undulate, and wherein there is provided a means for propelling the device so that a child seated thereon will be able to use the device in such a manner as to simultate the actual movement of an animal such as a horse.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy horse which includes an undercarriage that has a body member rockably mounted thereon, there being a mechanism which is controlled by the feet of the user so that the device can be readily propelled along, and wherein there is provided a novel mechanism for steering the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and attractive in appearance.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the toy horse, constructed according to the present invention, and with parts broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the toy horse.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the gear connection for driving the device.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain constructional details of the device.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a body member which has a fanciful configuration and which may be shaped to resemble an animal such as a horse, and the body member 10 is provided with a saddle portion 11 which defines a seat whereby a child can comfortably sit thereon. Depending from the rear of the body member 10 are spaced apart rear legs 12, and extending from the front of the body member 10 are spaced apart front legs 13. A head 14 is rotatably mounted on the upper front portion of the body member 10.

p The toy horse of the present invention further includes an undercarriage which is indicated generally by the numeral 15, and the undercarriage 15 includes a frame which comprises a first portion 16, Figure 1. Extending upwardly from the front end of the first portion 16 and secured thereto or formed integral therewith, is a lug 1'7, and the lug 17 projects into the space between the front legs 13. A pivot pin 18 extends between the front legs 13 and through the lugs 17 so as to provide a rockable support for the body member 10.

Depending from the front end of the first portion 16 is a second portion 19 which is vertically disposed, and extending rearwardly from the second portion 19 is a horizontally disposed third portion 20 which terminates in an inclined fourth portion 21. A U-shaped fork 22 is rotatably mounted below the portion 20, and the fork 22 has a small front wheel 23 journaled therein by means of an axle or shaft 24.

There is further provided a manually operable means for steering the toy horse, and this means comprises a shaft 25 which extends upwardly from the fork 22. Extending outwardly from the shaft 25 and secured thereto are pins 26, Figure 2, and extending rearwardly from the pins 26 is a pair of horizontally disposed spaced parallel links 27. An end piece 28 interconnects the rear ends of the links 27 together, and extending upwardly from the end piece 28 and secured thereto is a rod 29. The rod 29 extends through registering openings in the head 14 and body member 10 as shown in Figure 1. The rod 29 extends through a slot 30 in the first portion 16 of the frame. A bracket 31 serves to connect the upper end of the rod 29 to the head 14, and extending outwardly from the head 14 are handgrips 32. Thus, a child seated on the saddle 11 can grip the hand engaging members 32 so as to turn the head 14 relative to the body member 10, and this turning movement of the head 14 causes rotation of the rod 29. As the rod 29 turns, it turns the shaft 25 and this in turn moves the fork 22 so that the front wheel 23 can be steered or turned as desired.

It is to be noted that when the rod 29 is turned, the end piece 28 which is secured to the rod, will also be turned, and since the end piece 28 is connected to the pair of links 27, the links 27 will also move. There is a loose connection between the links 27 and pins 26 and between the links 27 and end piece 28 so as to permit turning movement of the parts, as for example, as shown in solid and dotted lines in Figure 6.

The frame of the undercarriage further includes fifth portions 33 which diverge outwardly as shown in Figure 2, and the fifth portions 33 terminate in spaced parallel sixth portions 34, and extending rear'wardly from the sixth portions 34 are horizontally disposed seventh portions 35.

Supported by the portions 34 is a pin 36, and a bar 37 is pivotally mounted on the pin 36, there being a foot piece. 38 connected to the front end of the bar 37. The rear end of the bar 37 is bifurcated as at 39, Figure 2.

Secured to the undersurface of the body member 16) is a bracket 40, and an arm 41 has its upper end pivotally connected to the bracket 40 by means of a pivot pin 42. The lower end of the arm 41 is pivotally connected to the bifurcated portion 39 of the bar 37, by means of a pivot pin 43. There is further provided a lever 44 which has its upper end connected to the bracket 40 by means of a pin 45.

Journaled in the seventh portions 35 of the undercarriage frame, is a first axle 46 which includes an offset intermediate section 47, and the lower end of the lever 44 is connected to the offset section 47. A gear member 48 is mounted on each outer end of the axle 46. Arranged rearwardly of the first axle 46 is a second axle 49 which has a pair of ground engaging wheels 50 mounted thereon. A circular gear section 51. is connected to the inner surface of each rear wheel 5%), and the gear members 48 are arranged in meshing engagement with the teeth of the gear section 51.

There is further provided a cable 52 which extends from the offset section 47 of the axle 46 to a. coil spring 53, and a cable 54 extends from the coil spring 53 over a pulley 55 and to the pin 43. The pulley 55 is mounted on a pin 56 which extends between the rear legs 12.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a toy horse which is adapted to be propelled along, and as the toy horse moves, the body member will undulate or rock up and down so that the child seated thereon will derive much pleasure and amusement therefrom. In use, a child is adapted to sit on the saddle portion 11 of the body member 10, with the feet arranged in engagement with the foot piece 38. The childs hands are adapted to be placed upon the handgrips 32 and then by moving the foot piece 38 up and down by means of foot pressure, it will be seen that the bar 37 will be moved about the pivot pin 36 and this pivotal movement of the bar 37 will cause up and down movement of the arm 41 and since the arm 41 is secured beneath the rear end of the body member 10, it will be seen that the body member 10 will pivot or rock about an axis extending through the pin 18. At the same time, this pivotal movement of the bar 37 will result in movement of the gear members 48 to thereby cause the pair of rear wheels 50 to move, since the gear members 48 are arranged in meshing engagement with the gear section 51, there being one of the gear sections 51 on the inner surface of each of the wheels 50. The gear members 48 are mounted on the ends of the axle 46, and the wheels 50 are mounted on the axle 49.

As previously described, there is further provided a means for steering the toy horse, and this means comprises the rotary head 14 which is adapted to be turned by means of the handgrips 32. As the head 14 is turned, the rod 29 is turned and this causes movement of the links 27. As the links 27 move, they cause corresponding movement of the shaft 25, and in view of the fact that the shaft 25 is secured to the fork 22, it will be seen that by turning the head 14 by means of the handgrips 32, there will result similar turning movement of the front wheel 23 so that the toy can be accurately steered.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and of any desired shape or size. While the body member 10 has been shown in the form of a horse, it is to be understood that it can be made in different shapes or designs.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a toy horse which is constructed so that the body member will move with an undulating motion and wherein a power mechanism is provided for propelling the device. Also, the toy horse is very maneuverable.

The construction of the frame of the undercarriage permits a small front wheel 23 to be used and also the frame construction serves to stabilize the device and the frame can be made of a single piece of metal, if desired. Also, the construction is such that the undulating motion is smooth whereby small children will not be frightened. The spring 53 helps to keep the parts off of dead center, and also helps in raising the body member 10 at the right time. The foot piece 38 is used in raising the body member 10, and the wheels are preferably provided with rubber tires. In view of the fact that large wheels 50 can be used at the rear of the device, increased power can be provided for propelling the toy. Also, the construction of the frame is such that costly bearings are minimized or eliminated. When pressure is applied to the foot piece 38, the body member 10 is raised, and when pressure is released on the foot piece 38 the body member lowers about the pivot pin 18 and this cycle of movement is continuously repeated, and at the same time the horse is propelled in the desired direction.

The toy horse can be used on rough terrain, and as previously stated, the specific construction of the frame permits a small front wheel 23 to be used and yet permits the body member 10 to be properly supported. The major portion of the frame can be made of a single piece of metal which has been stamped or formed to the proper shape. The first portion 16 of the frame is provided with a slot 30 which provides sufiicient clearance 4 for the steering rod 29. The portions 16, 19, 20, and 21 cooperate to provide a support whereby a small front wheel 23 can be used. The axles 46 and 49 are anchored in the rear of the frame, and the bar 37 is pivotally connected to the frame through the medium of the pin 36.

I claim:

1. A toy horse comprising a body member including spaced apart front legs and spaced apart rear legs, a head rotatably supported on said body member, an undercarriage arranged below said body member and including a frame having a first portion, a lug extending upwardly from the front end of said first portion and said lug being interposed between said front legs, a pivot pin extending through said front legs and through said lug, a vertically disposed second portion depending from the front of said first portion, a horizontally disposed third portion extending rearwardly from the lower end of said second portion, an inclined fourth portion extending upwardly from the rear end of said third portion to said first portion, a fork positioned below said third portion, a front wheel journaled in said fork, said frame further including diverging fifth portions extending downwardly and rearwardly and outwardly from the rear edge of said first portion, a sixth portion extending rearwardly from each fifth portion and said sixth portions terminating in horizontally disposed seventh portions, a pin extending between said pair of sixth portions and supported thereby, a bar pivotally mounted on said last named pin, a foot piece secured to the front end of said bar, the rear end of said bar being bifurcated, a support member secured to the under surface of said body member, an arm depending from said support member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the bifurcated rear portion of said bar, a lever depending from said support member, a first axle journaled in the seventh portions of said frame and including an offset intermediate section connected to the lower end of said lever, a gear member mounted on each end of said first axle, a second axle arranged rearwardly of said first axle, a pair of ground engaging rear wheels mounted on said second axle, a circular gear section connected to the inner surface of each rear wheel, said gear members meshing with said gear sections, a cable including a first section extending from the olfset section of the first axle, a coil spring connected to the first section of said cable, a pulley mounted in the rear of the body member, said cable further including a second section trained over said pulley and having an end connected to said coil spring and its other end connected to the rear of said bar, and manually operable means for steering said front wheel.

2. A toy horse comprising a body member including spaced apart front legs and spaced apart rear legs, a head rotatably supported on said body member, an undercarriage arranged below said body member and including a frame having a first portion, a lug extending upwardly from the front end of said first portion and said lug being interposed between said front legs, a pivot pin extending through said front legs and through said lug, a vertically disposed second portion depending from the front of said first portion, a horizontally disposed third portion extending rearwardly from the lower end of said second portion, an inclined fourth portion extending upwardly from the rear end of said third portion to said first portion, a fork positioned below said third portion, a front wheel journaled in said fork, said frame further including diverging fifth portions extending downwardly and rearwardly and outwardly from the rear edge of said first portion, a sixth portion extending rearwardly from each fifth portion and said sixth portions terminating in horizontally disposed seventh portions, a pin extending between said pair of sixth portions and supported thereby, a bar pivotally mounted on said last named pin, a foot piece secured to the front end of said bar, the rear end of said bar being bifurcated, a support member secured to the under surface of said body member, an arm depending from said support member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the bifurcated rear portion of said bar, a lever depending from said support member, first axle journaled in the seventh portions of said frame and including an offset intermediate section connected to the lower end of said lever, a gear member mounted on each end of said first axle, a second axle arranged rearwardly of said first axle, a pair of ground engaging rear wheels mounted on said second axle, a circular gear section connected to the inner surface of each rear wheel, said gear members meshing with said gear sections, a cable including a first section extending from the offset section of the first axle, a coil spring connected to the first section of said cable, a pulley mounted in the rear of the body member, said cable further including a second section trained over said pulley and having an end connectcd to said coil spring and its other end connected to the rear of said bar, and manually operable means for steering said front wheel, said manually operable means comprising a shaft extending upwardly from said fork, a horizontally disposed pin extending outwardly from said shaft, a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed links extending rearwardly from said last named pin, an end piece extending between the rear ends of said links, a rod extending upwardly from said end piece and said rod extending through said body member and through said head, a bracket connecting the upper end of said rod to said head, and hand-grips extending outwardly from said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS:

838,381 Carroll Dec. 11, 1906 973,303 Replogle Oct. 18, 1910 1,338,545 Winnek Apr. 27, 1920 

